Croydon BID cancels election hustings after Manchester bomb

An election debate for Croydon Central, due to be staged tonight by the town centre’s Business Improvement District, has been cancelled following last night’s horrific bombing in Manchester.

At least 22 were killed, including several children, and another 50 were injured, with some still fighting for their lives in hospital or facing life-changing injuries as a result of what is being investigated as a suicide bombing at Manchester Arena. The incident took place around 10.30pm last night in the foyer of the crowded arena, after a concert by the American singer Ariana Grande.

All the leading political parties have suspended campaigning today ahead of the General Election.

And just after 10am today, Croydon BID issued a brief statement to announce the cancellation of its election hustings for Croydon Central, at which Gavin Barwell, the Tory MP for the area since 2010, was to have debated with Labour’s Sarah Jones and other candidates.

The BID statement said, “Out of respect for those affected by last night’s horrific attack in Manchester, we have cancelled tonight’s Croydon Central Hustings.

“Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends at this traumatic time.”

The hustings organisers expect to announce an alternative date shortly.

• Click here for all our coverage of the 2017 General Election

• Inside Croydon Events: for the most comprehensive community events listings, updated daily

---

• Inside Croydon is Croydon’s only independent news source, still based in the heart of the borough. In 2016, we averaged 17,000 page views every week
  
• If you have a news story about life in or around Croydon, a residents’ or business association or a local event to publicise, please email us with full details at inside.croydon@btinternet.com